8/4/2022 Recent fires sending moderate smoke to parts of central and eastern Washington

Several fires around our state have started to cause moderate smoke impacts in parts of central and eastern Washington. The Keremeos Creek wildfire in BC (north of Oroville) has burned more than 10,000 acres and periodically has been sending smoke to the northern parts of Okanogan, Ferry, and Stevens counties.  Meanwhile the Vantage Highway fire (east of Ellensburg) has also burned more than 10,000 acres, but with minimal smoke impacts.  Two new wildfires also cropped up yesterday: the Cow Canyon fire (over 2,000 acres, southwest of Ellensburg) and the Williams Lake fire (over 3,200 acres, southwest of Spokane County).  If you live somewhere near a wildfire, make sure to check evacuation alerts and protect yourself from smoke impacts.

So far smoke impacts this year have been minimal, and thankfully fire crews have been able to concentrate resources effectively to minimize fire growth.  However, another heat wave is expected next week, so fire growth and new fires will continue to be a concern.